Particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit

ABSTRACT

A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit includes a particle belt having a particle acceleration section. The particle belt is configured to receive a particle, to accelerate the particle at the particle acceleration section, and to expel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery system includes a first hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a first location and a second hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a second location. The particle acceleration section is disposed generally at the first location, a substantially no-slip condition exists between the first hub assembly and the particle belt at the first location and between the second hub assembly and the particle belt at the second location, and the first hub assembly and the second hub assembly are configured to stretch the particle belt at the particle acceleration section to accelerate the particle.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a particle delivery systemof an agricultural row unit.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. Planting implements typically include multiplerow units distributed across a width of the implement. Each row unit isconfigured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath the soil surfaceof a field, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit typically includes a ground engaging tool or opener thatforms a seeding path (e.g., trench) for seed deposition into the soil.An agricultural product delivery system (e.g., including a meteringsystem and a seed tube) is configured to deposit seeds and/or otheragricultural products (e.g., fertilizer) into the trench. Theopener/agricultural product delivery system is followed by closing discsthat move displaced soil back into the trench and/or a packer wheel thatpacks the soil on top of the deposited seeds/other agriculturalproducts.

Certain row units, or planting implements generally, include a seedstorage area configured to store the seeds. The agricultural productdelivery system is configured to transfer the seeds from the seedstorage area into the trench. For example, the agricultural productdelivery system may include a metering system that meters the seeds fromthe seed storage area into a seed tube for subsequent delivery to thetrench. Certain types of seeds may benefit from a particular spacingalong the trench. Additionally, the planting implement having the rowunits may travel at varying speeds based on the type of seed beingdeposited into the soil, the type and structure of the soil within thefield, and other factors. Typically, the row units output the seeds tothe trench at the speed that the implement is traveling through thefield, which may affect the spacing between the seeds and may cause theseeds to be deposited at locations along the trench other than targetlocations (e.g., outside the target locations).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the disclosed subjectmatter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limitthe scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intendedonly to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments.Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that maybe similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In certain embodiments, a particle delivery system of an agriculturalrow unit includes a particle belt having a particle accelerationsection. The particle belt is configured to receive a particle, toaccelerate the particle at the particle acceleration section, and toexpel the particle toward a trench in soil. The particle delivery systemincludes a first hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a firstlocation and a second hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at asecond location. The particle acceleration section is disposed generallyat the first location, a substantially no-slip condition exists betweenthe first hub assembly and the particle belt at the first location andbetween the second hub assembly and the particle belt at the secondlocation, and the first hub assembly and the second hub assembly areconfigured to stretch the particle belt at the particle accelerationsection to accelerate the particle.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement having multiple row units distributed across a width of theagricultural implement, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a row unit that may beemployed on the agricultural implement of FIG. 1, in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a particle delivery systemthat may be employed within the row unit of FIG. 2, in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment a particle belt and a wheel of aparticle delivery system that may be employed within the row unit ofFIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of a particle belt and wheels ofa particle delivery system that may be employed within the row unit ofFIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of another embodiment of a particle belt andwheels of a particle delivery system that may be employed within the rowunit of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a particle deliverysystem that may be employed within the row unit of FIG. 2, in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment a particle belt and a hubassembly of a particle delivery system that may be employed within therow unit of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for controlling aparticle delivery system, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for controllinga particle delivery system, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Anyexamples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are notexclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a particledelivery system for a row unit of an agricultural implement. Certainagricultural implements include row units configured to deliverparticles (e.g., seeds) to trenches in soil. For example, a particledistribution system may transport the particles from a storage tank ofthe agricultural implement to the row units (e.g., to a hopper assemblyof each row unit or directly to a particle delivery system of each rowunit), and/or the particles may be delivered from a hopper assembly ofeach row unit to a respective particle delivery system. Each particledelivery system may output the particles to a respective trench as theagricultural implement travels over the soil. Certain agriculturalimplements are configured to travel at particular speeds (e.g., betweenfour kilometers per hour (kph) and thirty kph) while delivering theparticles to the trenches. Additionally, a particular spacing betweenthe particles when disposed within the soil may enhance plantdevelopment and/or yield.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, at least one row unit of theagricultural implement includes a particle delivery system configured todeliver the particles to the respective trench in the soil at aparticular spacing while reducing the relative ground speed of theparticles (e.g., the speed of the particles relative to the ground). Theparticle delivery system includes a particle disc configured to meterindividual particles, thereby establishing the particular spacingbetween particles. The particle disc is configured to release eachparticle at a release point of the particle disc, thereby enabling theparticle to move to a particle engagement section of a particle belt ofthe particle delivery system. The particle belt includes the particleengagement section, a particle acceleration section, and a particle exitsection. The particle belt is configured to receive each particle at theparticle engagement section, to accelerate each particle at the particleacceleration section, and to expel each particle toward the trench inthe soil at the particle exit section.

In certain embodiments, the particle delivery system may includewheel(s) engaged with the particle belt and configured to rotate atdifferent rotational speeds to stretch the particle belt at the particleacceleration section. For example, the wheels may be engaged with theparticle belt, and a substantially no-slip condition may exist betweeneach wheel and the particle belt. As used herein, a substantiallyno-slip condition refers to a condition in which a rotational speed ofthe wheel substantially matches a rotational speed of the portion of theparticle belt in contact with the wheel, such that there is no slippagebetween the wheel and the particle belt as the wheel is engaged withand/or drives rotation of the particle belt. For example, the wheels mayinclude protrusions (e.g., cogs) configured to interface with recessesof the particle belt to engage the particle belt and to establish the noslip condition.

In some embodiments, the particle delivery system may include hubassembly(ies) engaged with the particle belt and configured to stretchthe particle belt at the particle acceleration section. For example, thehub assemblies may be engaged with the particle belt, and asubstantially no-slip condition may exist between each hub assembly andthe particle belt. Each hub assembly may include an outer hub configuredto rotate, an inner hub disposed eccentrically within the outer hub andconfigured to rotate with the outer hub, cogs coupled to the inner huband configured to pivot relative to the inner hub as the inner hub andthe outer hub rotate, and guides coupled to the outer hub and configuredto pivot relative to the outer hub. Each guide may be configured toslide along the respective cog and along the outer hub as the inner huband the outer hub rotate, and each cog may be configured to engage theparticle belt, such that the rotation of the inner hub and the outer huband the pivoting of each cog stretches the particle belt.

In certain embodiments, the particle acceleration section of theparticle belt may be stretched to accelerate the particle. For example,the particle belt may receive a particle at a particle engagement pointdisposed at the particle acceleration or before the particleacceleration section, and the particle may accelerate as the particlebelt moves the particle along the particle acceleration section, suchthat a particle exit speed of each particle exiting the particle exitsection of the particle belt reaches a target particle exit speed (e.g.,after the particle passes through the particle acceleration section andis expelled from the particle belt at the particle exit section). Theparticle belt may accelerate each particle to a speed greater than aspeed resulting from gravitational acceleration alone. As such, theparticle delivery system may enable the row unit to travel faster thantraditional row units that utilize seed tubes, which rely on gravity toaccelerate the particles (e.g., seeds) for delivery to soil.Additionally, the particle belt may accelerate the particles such thatthe relative ground speed of the particles is reduced, thereby enablingthe particle delivery system to accurately deposit the particles withinthe trench in soil.

With the foregoing in mind, the present embodiments relating to particledelivery systems may be utilized within any suitable agriculturalimplement. For example, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment ofan agricultural implement 10 having multiple row units 12 distributedacross a width of the agricultural implement 10. The implement 10 isconfigured to be towed through a field behind a work vehicle, such as atractor. As illustrated, the implement 10 includes a tongue assembly 14,which includes a hitch configured to couple the implement 10 to anappropriate tractor hitch (e.g., via a ball, clevis, or other coupling).The tongue assembly 14 is coupled to a tool bar 16 which supportsmultiple row units 12. Each row unit 12 may include one or more openerdiscs configured to form a particle path (e.g., trench) within soil of afield. The row unit 12 may also include a particle delivery system(e.g., particle discs) configured to deposit particles (e.g., seeds,fertilizer, and/or other agricultural product(s)) into the particlepath/trench. In addition, the row unit 12 may include closing disc(s)and/or a packer wheel positioned behind the particle delivery system.The closing disc(s) are configured to move displaced soil back into theparticle path/trench, and the packer wheel is configured to pack soil ontop of the deposited particles.

During operation, the agricultural implement 10 may travel at aparticular speed along the soil surface while depositing the particlesto the trenches. For example, a speed of the agricultural implement maybe selected and/or controlled based on soil conditions, a type of theparticles delivered by the agricultural implement 10 to the soil,weather conditions, a size/type of the agricultural implement, or acombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, a particular spacingbetween the particles when disposed within the soil may enhance plantdevelopment and/or yield. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, at leastone row unit 12 may include a particle delivery system configured todeposit the particles at the particular spacing while reducing theground speed of the particles (e.g., as compared to a row unit thatemploys a particle tube to delivery particles to the soil). As discussedin detail below, the particle delivery system may include a particlemetering and singulation unit configured to meter individual particlesto establish the spacing between the particles. Additionally, theparticle delivery system may include a particle belt configured toreceive the particles from the particle metering and singulation unitand to accelerate the particles toward the trench in the soil. Forexample, a belt speed of the particle belt may be greater than atangential speed of apertures of the particle disc. The particle beltmay accelerate the particles to a speed greater than a speed resultingfrom gravitational acceleration alone and/or may reduce the relativeground speed of the particles (e.g., the speed of the particles relativeto the ground). As such, the particle belt may enable the respective rowunit 12 to travel faster than traditional row units that utilize seedtubes, while enabling the row unit 12 to accurately place each particlewithin the soil of the field.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a row unit 12 (e.g.,agricultural row unit) that may be employed on the agriculturalimplement of FIG. 1. The row unit 12 includes a mount 18 configured tosecure the row unit 12 to the tool bar of the agricultural implement. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the mount 18 includes a U-bolt that securesa bracket 20 of the row unit 12 to the tool bar. However, in alternativeembodiments, the mount may include another suitable device that couplesthe row unit to the tool bar. A linkage assembly 22 extends from thebracket 20 to a frame 24 of the row unit 12. The linkage assembly 22 isconfigured to enable vertical movement of the frame 24 relative to thetool bar in response to variations in a soil surface 26. In certainembodiments, a down pressure system (e.g., including a hydraulicactuator, a pneumatic actuator, etc.) may be coupled to the linkageassembly 22 and configured to urge the frame 24 toward the soil surface26. While the illustrated linkage assembly 22 is a parallel linkageassembly (e.g., a four-bar linkage assembly), in alternativeembodiments, another suitable linkage assembly may extend between thebracket and the frame.

The row unit 12 includes an opener assembly 30 that forms a trench 31 inthe soil surface 26 for particle deposition into the soil. In theillustrated embodiment, the opener assembly 30 includes gauge wheels 32,arms 34 that pivotally couple the gauge wheels 32 to the frame 24, andopener discs 36. The opener discs 36 are configured to excavate thetrench 31 into the soil, and the gauge wheels 32 are configured tocontrol a penetration depth of the opener discs 36 into the soil. In theillustrated embodiment, the row unit 12 includes a depth control system38 configured to control the vertical position of the gauge wheels 32(e.g., by blocking rotation of the arms in the upward direction beyond aselected orientation), thereby controlling the penetration depth of theopener discs 36 into the soil.

The row unit 12 includes a particle delivery system 40 configured todeposit particles (e.g., seeds, fertilizer, and/or other agriculturalproduct(s)) into the trench 31 as the row unit 12 traverses the fieldalong a direction of travel 42. As illustrated, the particle deliverysystem 40 includes a particle metering and singulation unit 44configured to receive the particles (e.g., seeds) from a hopper assembly46 (e.g., a particle storage area). In certain embodiments, a hopper ofthe hopper assembly may be integrally formed with a housing of theparticle metering and singulation unit. The hopper assembly 46 isconfigured to store the particles for subsequent metering by theparticle metering and singulation unit 44. As will be described ingreater detail below, in some embodiments, the particle metering andsingulation unit 44 includes a particle disc configured to rotate totransfer the particles from the hopper assembly 46 toward a particlebelt of the particle delivery system 40. The particle belt may generallybe disposed between the particle metering and singulation unit 44 andthe trench 31.

The opener assembly 30 and the particle delivery system 40 are followedby a closing assembly 48 that moves displaced soil back into the trench31. In the illustrated embodiment, the closing assembly 48 includes twoclosing discs 50. However, in alternative embodiments, the closingassembly may include other closing devices (e.g., a single closing disc,etc.). In addition, in certain embodiments, the closing assembly may beomitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the closing assembly 48 isfollowed by a packing assembly 52 configured to pack soil on top of thedeposited particles. The packing assembly 52 includes a packer wheel 54,an arm 56 that pivotally couples the packer wheel 54 to the frame 24,and a biasing member 58 configured to urge the packer wheel 54 towardthe soil surface 26, thereby causing the packer wheel to pack soil ontop of the deposited particles (e.g., seeds and/or other agriculturalproduct(s)). While the illustrated biasing member 58 includes a spring,in alternative embodiments, the biasing member may include anothersuitable biasing device, such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumaticcylinder, among others. For purposes of discussion, reference may bemade to a longitudinal axis or direction 60, a vertical axis ordirection 62, and a lateral axis or direction 64. For example, thedirection of travel 42 of the row unit 12 may be generally along thelongitudinal axis 60.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a particle delivery system 40that may be employed within the row unit of FIG. 2. As described above,the particle delivery system 40 is configured to meter and accelerateparticles 80 (e.g., seeds, fertilizer, other particulate material, or acombination thereof) toward the trench 31 for deposition into the trench31. In the illustrated embodiment, the particle delivery system 40includes a particle disc 82 (e.g., of the particle metering andsingulation unit 44) configured to meter the particles 80 and a particlebelt 84 (e.g., an endless member) configured to accelerate and move theparticles 80 toward the trench 31 for deposition into the trench 31.

The particle disc 82 has apertures 90 configured to receive theparticles 80 from a particle hopper 92 of the particle delivery system40. For example, each aperture 90 may receive a single particle 80. Theparticle hopper 92 is a particle storage area configured to store theparticles 80 for subsequent metering and distribution. In certainembodiments, the particle hopper 92 may be coupled to and/or included aspart of a housing of the particle metering and singulation unit 44.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the hopper assembly may provide theparticles 80 to the particle hopper 92, and/or the hopper assembly(e.g., the hopper of the hopper assembly) may be coupled to the particlehopper 92. The particle disc 82 is configured to rotate, as indicated byarrow 94, to move the particles 80 from the particle hopper 92 to arelease point 96, where the particles 80 are released such that theparticles 80 move downwardly toward the particle belt 84. The particlebelt 84 is configured to rotate, as indicated by arrows 98, to move andexpel the particles 80 toward the trench 31. The particle disc 82 havingthe apertures 90 may be any suitable shape configured to rotate/move totransfer the particles 80 from the particle hopper 92 to the releasepoint 96. For example, the particle disc 82 may be generally flat, mayhave a curved portion and a flat portion, may be entirely curved, may bea drum, or may include other suitable shapes, geometries, and/orconfigurations. In certain embodiments, an inner portion of the particledisc 82 may curved/raised related to an outer portion of the particledisc 82 having the apertures 90 (e.g., the particle disc 82 may begenerally bowl-shaped), such that the particles 80 may be directedtoward the apertures 90 (e.g., away from the raised inner portion and/ortoward the flat outer portion) as the particle disc 82 rotates. In someembodiments, the particle disc 82 may be a drum having the apertures 90disposed along an outer portion and/or an exterior of the drum.

As illustrated, the particle delivery system 40 includes an air flowsystem 100 having an air flow device 102 (e.g., a vacuum source), afirst air tube 104 fluidly coupled to the air flow device 102, and asecond air tube 106 fluidly coupled to the air flow device 102. The airflow system 100 is configured to reduce the air pressure within a vacuumpassage 110 positioned along a portion of the particle disc 82, therebydrawing the particles 80 from the particle hopper 92 toward and againstthe apertures 90. As illustrated, the first air tube 104 is fluidlycoupled to the air flow device 102 and to the vacuum passage 110. Theair flow device 102 is configured to draw air through the apertures 90aligned with the vacuum passage 110, via the first air tube 104. As theparticle disc 82 rotates, the vacuum formed at the apertures 90 securesthe particles 80 to the particle disc 82 at the apertures 90, such thatthe particle disc 82 moves each particle 80 from the particle hopper 92to the release point 96. At the release point 96, the air flow system100 provides, via the second air tube 106, an air flow 112 configured toremove each particle 80 from the respective aperture 90 (e.g., byovercoming the vacuum formed at the respective aperture 90). In certainembodiments, the air flow 112 may be omitted, and the particles 80 maybe released from the apertures 90 due to the vacuum passage 110 ending.For example, at the release point 96, the vacuum passage 110 may end(e.g., the air flow device 102 may no longer draw air through theapertures 90 of the particle disc 82 at the release point 96), and theparticles 80 may no longer be secured in the apertures 90. The particles80 are released from the particle disc 82 along a release trajectory114. Rotation of the particle disc 82 imparts a velocity on theparticles, and the particles 80 accelerate from the particle disc 82along the release trajectory 114 under the influence of gravity and/ordue to the force applied by the air flow 112. In some embodiments, anangle between the release trajectory 114 and the vertical axis 62 may bezero degrees, one degree, two degrees, five degrees, ten degrees, twentydegrees, or other suitable angles. As used herein, “vacuum” refers to anair pressure that is less than the ambient atmospheric air pressure, andnot necessarily 0 pa.

The particle delivery system 40 includes a disc housing 120 and aparticle belt housing 122. The particle disc 82 is disposed within andconfigured to rotate within the disc housing 120. The particle belt 84is disposed within and configured to rotate within the particle belthousing 122. The vacuum passage 110 of the particle metering andsingulation unit 44 is formed within the disc housing 120. Additionally,the particle metering and singulation unit 44 includes the particle disc82 and the disc housing 120. The particle hopper 92 (e.g., the particlestorage area) is formed within the disc housing 120.

Additionally, the particle delivery system 40 includes a particle tube124 coupled to the disc housing 120 and the particle belt housing 122.The particle tube 124 extends generally from the release point 96 to aparticle engagement section 130 of the particle belt 84 and isconfigured to at least partially direct the particles 80 from theparticle disc 82 (e.g., from the release point 96 of the particle disc82) to the particle belt 84 (e.g., to the particle engagement section130 of the particle belt 84) along the release trajectory 114. Theparticle tube may include any suitable shape and/or configurationconfigured to at least particle direct the particles, such as a channel,a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube, and/or other suitableshapes/configurations. In certain embodiments, the particle tube may beomitted, such that the particles flow from the release point to theengagement point without guidance from the particle tube.

The particle belt 84 includes the particle engagement section 130, aparticle acceleration section 132, a particle exit section 134, and abelt retraction section 136. The particle belt 84 is configured toreceive the particles 80 from the particle metering and singulation unit44 at the particle engagement section 130, to accelerate the particles80 at and/or along the particle acceleration section 132, and to expelthe particles 80 toward the trench 31 along a release trajectory 137 atthe particle exit section 134. For example, the particle belt 84 isconfigured to rotate, as indicated by arrows 138, to move the particles80 from the particle engagement section 130 to the particle exit section134. As described in greater detail below, the particle belt 84 isconfigured to stretch at the particle acceleration section 132 and toretract at the belt retraction section 136. The particle belt 84includes a base 140 and flights 142 coupled to and extending from thebase 140. Each pair of opposing flights 142 is configured to receive arespective particle 80 at the particle engagement section 130 and tomove the respective particle 80 to the particle exit section 134.

As described above, the particle disc 82 is configured to meter theparticles 80 and to provide a spacing between the particles 80. Thespacing between the particles 80 when disposed within the trench 31 mayenhance plant development and/or yield. Additionally, the particledelivery system 40 is configured to accelerate the particles 80generally toward and along the trench 31. The acceleration of theparticles 80 by the particle delivery system 40 along the trench mayreduce a relative ground speed of the particles 80, as compared toparticles output by a seed tube, which relies solely on gravity toaccelerate the particles for delivery to soil. For example, the particledelivery system 40 is configured to accelerate the particles 80 usingthe air flow system 100, gravity, and the particle belt 84. The air flowsystem 100 is configured to provide the air flow 112 from the second airtube 106 to accelerate the particles 80 along the release trajectory 114(e.g., the air flow system 100 may apply a force to the particles 80 viathe air flow 112). Additionally, the particle delivery system 40 isconfigured to enable the particles 80 to accelerate under the influenceof gravity as the particles 80 travel between the particle disc 82 andthe particle belt 84. The particle belt 84 is configured to acceleratethe particles 80 received from the particle disc 82, such that aparticle exit speed of each particle 80 expelled from the particle belt84 along the release trajectory 137 reaches a target particle exitspeed. The particle exit speed of each particle 80 may reach the targetparticle exit speed when the particle exit speed is equal to the targetparticle exit speed, when the particle exit speed becomes greater thanor less than the target particle exit speed, when the particle exitspeed is within a threshold range of the target particle exit speed(e.g., a difference between the particle exit speed and the targetparticle exit speed is less than a threshold value associated with thethreshold range), or a combination thereof.

The particle delivery system 40 is configured to accelerate theparticles 80 at the particle acceleration section 132 of the particlebelt 84. Specifically, the particle delivery system 40 includes a firstwheel 150 engaged with the particle belt 84 at a first location 152(e.g., an interface between the first wheel 150 and the particle belt84) and a second wheel 154 engaged with the particle belt 84 at a secondlocation 156 (e.g., an interface between the second wheel 154 and theparticle belt 84). The second wheel 154 is configured to rotate fasterthan the first wheel 150 to stretch the particle belt 84 at the particleacceleration section 132, thereby accelerating the particles 80 movingalong the particle acceleration section 132 and expelled from theparticle exit section 134. To enable stretching the particle belt 84 atthe particle acceleration section 132, a substantially no-slip conditionexists between the first wheel 150 and the particle belt 84 at the firstlocation 152 and between the second wheel 154 and the particle belt 84at the second location 156. After stretching at the particleacceleration section 132, the particle belt 84 is configured to retract(e.g., at least partially relax) at the belt retraction section 136. Theparticle belt 84 (e.g., the base 140 and/or the flights 142 of theparticle belt 84) may be formed from an elastic material (e.g., fabric,rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof) configured to stretch and/orretract.

As illustrated, the particle engagement section 130 of the particle belt84 is positioned generally at the first location 152. In certainembodiments, the particle engagement section may be positioned betweenthe first location and the second location, such that the particle beltreceives the particles at a stretched portion of the particle belt(e.g., a spacing between flights of the particle belt may be the same atthe particle engagement section and the particle acceleration section)or adjacent to the particle retraction section. Additionally, asillustrated, the particle exit section 134 of the particle belt 84 ispositioned generally at the second location 156. In certain embodiments,the particle exit section may be positioned between the first locationand the second location.

The first wheel 150 and the second wheel 154 are configured to rotate todrive rotation of the particle belt 84. In certain embodiments, only oneof the first wheel and the second wheel may be configured to driverotation of the particle belt. As described in greater detail inreference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first wheel 150 and the second wheel 154may be coupled to one another, via a drive mechanism, such that rotationof the first wheel 150 drives rotation of the second wheel 154, and afirst rotational speed of the first wheel 150 is proportional to asecond rotational speed of the second wheel 154. The first wheel 150and/or the second wheel 154 may include pulley(s) and/or gear(s).

The first wheel 150 includes an outer peripheral portion 157 (e.g., afirst wheel portion) and protrusions 158 (e.g., first protrusions, cogs)extending from the outer peripheral portion 157. Additionally, thesecond wheel includes an outer peripheral portion 159 (e.g., a secondwheel portion) and protrusions 160 (e.g., second protrusions, cogs)extending from the outer peripheral portion 159. Each of the protrusions158 and 160 is configured to engage a respective recess of the particlebelt 84 to provide the no-slip condition between the first wheel 150 andthe particle belt 84 at the first location 152 and between the secondwheel 154 and the particle belt 84 at the second location 156,respectively.

The number of protrusions 158 and 160 may generally depend on the firstexpected rotational speed of the first wheel 150, the second expectedrotational speed of the second wheel 154, a diameter 161 (e.g., a firstdiameter) of the first wheel 150, a diameter 162 (e.g., a seconddiameter) of the second wheel 154, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the number of protrusions, the rotational speed, and thediameter of the first wheel 150 and the second wheel 154 may each beproportionally related (e.g., as the expected rotational speed of thewheel increases or decreases, the number of protrusions and/or thediameter of the wheel may increase or decrease). As illustrated, thefirst wheel 150 includes eight protrusions 158, and the second wheel 154includes four protrusions 160. Additionally, the diameter 161 of thefirst wheel 150 and the diameter 162 of the second wheel 154 aregenerally the same. As such, the second wheel 154 rotating faster than(e.g., twice as fast as) the first wheel 150 may stretch the particlebelt 84 at the particle acceleration section 132, such that the beltspeed of the particle belt 84 at the second location 156 (e.g., at theparticle exit section 134) is twice a belt speed of the particle belt 84at the particle engagement section 130 and/or at the belt retractionsection 136. In other embodiments, the number of protrusions, therotational speed, and the diameter of the first wheel and/or the secondwheel may have other values that may increase and/or decrease the beltspeed of the particle belt at the particle exit section, therebyincreasing and/or decreasing the particle exit speed of the particles.As described in greater detail below, the number of protrusions 158 ofthe first wheel 150 and the number of protrusions 160 of the secondwheel 154 may be selected based on relative diameters of the first wheel150 and the second wheel 154 (e.g., diameters of first ends of the firstwheel 150 and the second wheel 154, which are engaged with the particlebelt 84, and diameters of second ends of the first wheel 150 and thesecond wheel 154, which are engaged with a drive mechanism).

The particle delivery system 40 includes a belt tension assembly 164configured to at least partially maintain a tension of the particle belt84 at the belt retraction section 136. For example, at the beltretraction section 136, the particle belt 84 may be more retracted(e.g., more relaxed) relative to the particle acceleration section 132and/or the particle exit section 134, and the belt tension assembly 164may provide a force/pressure to the particle belt 84 at the beltretraction section 136 to remove slack from the particle belt 84 and atleast partially maintain the tension of the particle belt 84. Asillustrated, the belt tension assembly 164 includes a track 165 and awheel 166 (e.g., a third wheel) coupled to and configured to move alongthe track 165. The wheel 166 is engaged with the particle belt 84 at thebelt retraction section 136 to provide the tension to the beltretraction section 136 of the particle belt 84. For example, the wheel166 may be biased outwardly toward the particle belt 84, as indicated byarrow 167, to at least partially maintain the tension of the particlebelt 84 at the belt retraction section 136. In certain embodiments, thebelt tension assembly 164 may include a spring and/or another tensionmechanism configured to bias the wheel 166 outwardly along the track165. In some embodiments, the belt tension assembly, or portionsthereof, may be omitted from the particle delivery system. For example,the belt retraction section may remain in tension due to the no-slipconditions between the first wheel and the particle belt at the firstlocation and between the second wheel and the particle belt at thesecond location. Alternatively, the belt retraction section may not bein tension and may have slack, and/or the belt retraction section mayalternate between having slack and being in tension.

The particle delivery system 40 includes a controller 170 configured tocontrol the rotation rate (e.g., the rotational speed) of the particledisc 82 to adjust/control the spacing between the particles 80. Forexample, the controller 170 may control a first motor 172, which isconfigured to drive rotation of the particle disc 82, to adjust/controlthe rotation rate of the particle disc 82 (e.g., by outputting an outputsignal to the first motor 172 indicative of instructions to adjust therotation rate of the particle disc 82). Additionally, the controller 170may control the first motor 172 to achieve a target spacing between theparticles 80. The controller 170 may determine the target spacingbetween the particles 80 based on a type of the particles 80, an inputreceived from a user interface, a ground speed of the row unit, or acombination thereof. The spacing may be any suitable spacing, such asone centimeter, two centimeters, five centimeters, ten centimeters,fifty centimeters, one meter, two meters, five meters, etc. In certainembodiments, the controller 170 may control the rotation rate of theparticle disc 82 (e.g., via control of the first motor 172) to achievethe target spacing based on a reference table identifying rotationalspeeds of the particle disc 82 that will achieve particular spacings,based on an empirical formula, in response to sensor feedback, or acombination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the controller 170 is configured to control theair flow 112 provided by the air flow system 100 to adjust/control aparticle transfer speed of each particle 80 expelled from the particledisc 82 (e.g., from the release point 96 of the particle disc 82, alongthe release trajectory 114, and toward the particle engagement section130 of the particle belt 84), such that the particle transfer speedreaches a target particle transfer speed at the particle engagementsection 130. For example, the controller 170 may control the air flowdevice 102, which is configured to provide the air flow 112 toaccelerate each particle 80 along the release trajectory 114. In certainembodiments, the controller 170 may control a valve configured to adjusta flow rate of the air flow 112. The controller 170 may determine thetarget particle transfer speed of the particles 80 based on the beltspeed of the particle belt 84 and/or the type of the particles 80. Thetarget particle transfer speed may be any suitable speed, such one-tenthkph, one-half kph, one kph, two kph, three kph, five kph, ten kph,fifteen kph, twenty kph, etc. In certain embodiments, the controller 170may determine the target particle transfer speed as a target percentageof the belt speed of the particle belt 84 (e.g., thirty percent, fiftypercent, seventy percent, eighty percent, ninety percent, ninety-fivepercent, etc.).

To control the air flow 112 provided by the air flow system 100, thecontroller 170 may receive an input signal indicative of the particletransfer speed of the particle 80 at the particle engagement section 130of the particle belt 84. For example, the controller 170 may receive theinput signal from a particle sensor 174 of the particle delivery system40 disposed within the particle tube 124. The particle sensor 174 mayinclude an infrared sensor or another suitable type of sensor configuredto output the input signal indicative of the particle transfer speed ofeach particle 80 at the particle engagement section 130. The particlesensor 174 may be positioned a fixed distance from the particleengagement section 130, such that the controller 170 may determine theparticle transfer speed of the particle 80 at the particle engagementsection 130 based on the fixed distance and the input signal indicativeof the particle transfer speed received from the particle sensor 174(e.g., based on gravitational acceleration of the particle 80 travelingthe fixed distance from the particle sensor 174 to the particleengagement section 130 and/or based on acceleration due to the air flow112).

The controller 170 may compare the particle transfer speed of theparticle 80 at the particle engagement section 130 to the targetparticle transfer speed to determine whether a difference between theparticle transfer speed and the target particle transfer speed exceeds athreshold value. In response to determining that the particle transferspeed at the particle engagement section 130 is less than the targetparticle transfer speed and the difference between the particle transferspeed and the target particle transfer speed exceeds the thresholdvalue, the controller 170 may output an output signal indicative ofinstructions to increase the flow rate of the air flow 112 provided bythe air flow system 100 through the second air tube 106. For example,the controller 170 may output the output signal to the air flow device102 to cause the air flow device 102 to increase the flow rate of theair flow 112. The increase in the air flow rate may increase theparticle transfer speed, such that the particle transfer speed reachesthe target particle transfer speed (e.g., such that the differencebetween the particle transfer speed and the target particle transferspeed is less than the threshold value).

In response to determining that the particle transfer speed at theparticle engagement section 130 is greater than the target particletransfer speed and the difference between the particle transfer speedand the target particle transfer speed exceeds the threshold value, thecontroller 170 may output an output signal indicative of instructions todecrease the flow rate of the air flow 112 provided by the air flowsystem 100. For example, the controller 170 may output the output signalto the air flow device 102 to cause the air flow device 102 to decreasethe flow rate of the air flow 112. The decrease in the air flow rate maydecrease the particle transfer speed, such that the particle transferspeed reaches the target particle transfer speed (e.g., such that thedifference between the particle transfer speed and the target particletransfer speed is less than the threshold value).

Additionally, the controller 170 is configured to control the belt speedof the particle belt 84 to adjust/control the particle exit speed of theparticles 80 expelled from the particle belt 84 (e.g., from the particleexit section 134 of the particle belt 84, along the release trajectory137, and toward the trench 31), such that the particle exit speedreaches a target particle exit speed. For example, the controller 170may control the first wheel 150, via a second motor 176 configured todrive rotation of the first wheel 150 and the particle belt 84, toadjust/control the belt speed of the particle belt 84 (e.g., byoutputting an output signal to the second motor 176 indicative ofinstructions to adjust the rotation rate of the first wheel 150),thereby adjusting/controlling the particle exit speed of the particles80. The controller 170 may control the particle exit speed of theparticles 80, such that the particle exit speed reaches the targetparticle exit speed. The controller 170 may determine the targetparticle exit speed of the particles 80 based on the type of theparticles 80, the size of the particles 80, an input received from auser interface, the ground speed of the row unit, or a combinationthereof. The target particle exit speed may be any suitable speed, suchone kilometer per hour (kph), two kph, three kph, five kph, ten kph,fifteen kph, twenty kph, etc. In certain embodiments, the controller 170may determine the target particle exit speed as a target percentage ofthe ground speed of the row unit (e.g., thirty percent, fifty percent,sixty percent, seventy percent, eighty percent, ninety percent,ninety-five percent, one hundred percent, etc.).

To control the belt speed of the particle belt 84, the controller 170may receive an input signal indicative of the particle exit speed of theparticle 80 at the particle exit section 134 of the particle belt 84.For example, the controller 170 may receive the input signal from aparticle sensor 178 of the particle delivery system 40 disposed adjacentto the particle exit section 134 and along the release trajectory 137.The particle sensor 178 may include an infrared sensor or anothersuitable type of sensor configured to output the input signal indicativeof the particle exit speed of each particle 80 at the particle exitsection 134. The particle sensor 178 may be positioned a fixed distancefrom the particle exit section 134 of the particle belt 84, such thatthe controller 170 may determine the particle exit speed of the particle80 at the particle exit section 134 based on the fixed distance and theinput signal indicative of the particle exit speed received from theparticle sensor 178 (e.g., based on acceleration and/or deceleration ofthe particle 80 traveling the fixed distance). In certain embodiments,the particle sensor 178 may be configured output a signal indicative ofthe ground speed of the agricultural row unit to the controller 170,and/or the controller 170 may receive the signal indicative of theground speed from another source. In some embodiments, the particlesensor 174 and/or the particle sensor 178 may be omitted from theparticle delivery system 40. In certain embodiments, the controller 170may determine other information related to the particles 80 based onfeedback from the particle sensor 178, such as skips (e.g., the particle80 not being present during an expected time period), multiple particles80 (e.g., multiple particles 80 being present when only a singleparticle 80 is expected), an amount of particles 80 deposited over agiven area (e.g., an amount of particles 80 deposited per acre), andother information related to the particles 80. In some embodiments, thecontroller 170 may control the particle delivery system based on suchfeedback.

The controller 170 may compare the particle exit speed of the particle80 at the particle exit section 134 of the particle belt 84 to thetarget particle exit speed to determine whether a difference between theparticle exit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds athreshold value. In response to determining that the particle exit speedat the particle exit section 134 of the particle belt 84 is less thanthe target particle exit speed and the difference between the particleexit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds the thresholdvalue, the controller 170 may output an output signal indicative ofinstructions to increase the belt speed of the particle belt 84. Forexample, the controller 170 may output the output signal to the secondmotor 176 to cause the second motor 176 to increase the rotation rate ofthe first wheel 150, thereby increasing the belt speed of the particlebelt 84. The increase in the belt speed of the particle belt 84 mayincrease the particle exit speed, such that the particle exit speedreaches the target particle exit speed (e.g., such that the differencebetween the particle exit speed and the target particle exit speed isless than the threshold value).

In response to determining that the particle exit speed at the particleexit section 134 of the particle belt 84 is greater than the targetparticle exit speed and the difference between the particle exit speedand the target particle exit speed exceeds the threshold value, thecontroller 170 may output an output signal indicative of instructions todecrease the belt speed of the particle belt 84. For example, thecontroller 170 may output the output signal to the second motor 176 tocause the second motor 176 to decrease the rotation rate of the firstwheel 150, thereby decreasing the belt speed of the particle belt 84.The decrease in the belt speed of the particle belt 84 may decrease theparticle exit speed, such that the particle exit speed reaches thetarget particle exit speed (e.g., such that the difference between theparticle exit speed and the target particle exit speed is less than thethreshold value).

As illustrated, the controller 170 of the particle delivery system 40includes a processor 190 and a memory 192. The processor 190 (e.g., amicroprocessor) may be used to execute software, such as software storedin the memory 192 for controlling the particle delivery system 40 (e.g.,for controlling a rotational speed of the particle disc 82, the beltspeed of the particle belt 84, and the air flow 112 provided by the airflow system 100). Moreover, the processor 190 may include multiplemicroprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one ormore special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. Forexample, the processor 190 may include one or more reduced instructionset (RISC) or complex instruction set (CISC) processors.

The memory device 192 may include a volatile memory, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-onlymemory (ROM). The memory device 192 may store a variety of informationand may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device 192may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software)for the processor 190 to execute, such as instructions for controllingthe particle delivery system 40. In certain embodiments, the controller170 may also include one or more storage devices and/or other suitablecomponents. The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) mayinclude ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical,magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. Thestorage device(s) may store data (e.g., the target particle transferspeed and/or the target particle exit speed), instructions (e.g.,software or firmware for controlling the particle delivery system 40),and any other suitable data. The processor 190 and/or the memory device192, and/or an additional processor and/or memory device, may be locatedin any suitable portion of the system. For example, a memory device forstoring instructions (e.g., software or firmware for controllingportions of the particle delivery system 40) may be located in orassociated with the particle delivery system 40.

Additionally, the particle delivery system 40 includes a user interface194 is communicatively coupled to the controller 170. The user interface194 may be configured to inform an operator of the particle transferspeed and/or the particle exit speed of the particles 80, to enable theoperator to adjust the rotational speed of the particle disc 82 and/orthe spacing between the particles 80, to enable the operator to adjustthe belt speed of the particle belt 84 and/or the air flow 112 providedby the air flow system 100, to provide the operator with selectableoptions of the type of particles 80, and to enable other operatorinteractions. For example, the user interface 194 may include a displayand/or other user interaction devices (e.g., buttons) configured toenable operator interactions.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the particle belt 84 and thefirst wheel 150 of the particle delivery system of FIG. 3. As describedabove, a substantially no-slip condition exists between the particlebelt 84 and the first wheel 150 at the first location 152. Additionally,the substantially no-slip condition exists between the second wheel andthe particle belt at the second location. The substantially no-slipconditions enable the first wheel 150 and the second wheel rotating atdifferent speeds to stretch the particle belt 84 at the particleacceleration section 132, thereby accelerating the particles 80 at theparticle acceleration section 132.

As illustrated, the particle belt 84 has recesses 200 formed along thebase 140 and configured to receive the protrusions 158 of the firstwheel 150. The interface between the protrusions 158 and the recesses200 (e.g., the protrusions 158 extending into the recesses 200) providesthe no-slip condition at the first location 152. For example, as thefirst wheel 150 rotates, as indicated by arrow 202, the protrusions 158may rotate/move at the same speed as the particle belt 84 at the firstlocation 152. As illustrated, the protrusions 158 and the recesses 200are semi-circles configured to engage one another. In other embodiments,the protrusions and the recesses may be other suitable shapes configuredto engage one another (e.g., squares, rectangles, etc.). In certainembodiments, the first wheel and/or the particle belt may include othermechanisms configured to provide the substantially no-slip condition,such as rough surfaces. The protrusions of the second wheel may beshaped similarly to the protrusions 158 of the first wheel 150, suchthat the protrusions of the second wheel engage the recesses 200 of theparticle belt 84 and provide the no-slip condition between the secondwheel and the particle belt 84 at the second location.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the particle belt 84, the first wheel 150engaged with the particle belt 84, the second wheel 154 engaged with theparticle belt 84, and a drive mechanism 220 of the particle deliverysystem. The first wheel 150 includes a first end 222 engaged with theparticle belt 84 at the first location 152 and a second end 224 disposedgenerally opposite the first end 222 and engaged with the drivemechanism 220 at a third location 226. Additionally, the second wheel154 includes a first end 230 (e.g., a third end) engaged with theparticle belt 84 at the second location 156 and a second end 232 (e.g.,a fourth end) disposed generally opposite the first end 230 and engagedwith the drive mechanism 220 at a fourth location 234.

As described above, the second motor 176 is configured to drive rotationof the first wheel 150. Rotation of the first wheel 150 is configured todrive rotation of the drive mechanism 220, which is configured to driverotation of the second wheel 154. As illustrated, the drive mechanism220 is a chain configured to engage protrusions 236 of the first wheel150 at the second end 224 of the first wheel 150 and to engageprotrusions 238 of the second wheel 154 at the second end 232 of thesecond wheel 154.

The second end 224 of the first wheel 150 has a diameter 240 that isgenerally equal to the diameter 161 of the first end 222 of the firstwheel 150 and generally equal to the diameter 162 of the first end 230of the second wheel 154. The second end 232 of the second wheel 154 hasa diameter 242 that is smaller than the diameter 240 of the second end224 of the first wheel 150, such that rotation of the drive mechanism220 by the second end 224 of the first wheel 150 at a first rotationalspeed drives rotation of the second end 232 of the second wheel 154 at asecond rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed. Thefaster second rotational speed of the second wheel 154 (e.g., at thefirst end 230 and at the second end 232 of the second wheel 154)relative to the first rotational speed of the first wheel 150 (e.g., atthe first end 222 and at the second end 224 of the first wheel 150)causes the second wheel 154 to stretch the particle belt 84 at theparticle acceleration section 132, thereby accelerating the particles.

As illustrated, the diameter 240 of the second end 224 of the firstwheel 150 is about twice as large as the diameter 242 of the second end232 of the second wheel 154, such that rotation of the drive mechanism220 drives rotation of the second wheel 154 at the second rotationalspeed that is about twice as fast as the first rotational speed of thefirst wheel 150. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the second endof the first wheel may be larger or smaller relative to the diameter ofthe second end of the second wheel (e.g., compared to the illustratedembodiment), such that a proportional relationship of the secondrotational speed of the second wheel relative to the first rotationalspeed of the first wheel is different (e.g., the second wheel may rotatethree times as fast as the first wheel, the second wheel may rotate fourtimes as fast as the first wheel, the second wheel may rotate eighttimes as a fast as the first wheel, etc.). The drive mechanism 220 isnot stretchable, such that the proportional relationship between thefirst rotational speed of the first wheel 150 and the second rotationalspeed of the second wheel 154 is maintained.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of the particle belt 84, a firstwheel 260 engaged with the particle belt 84, a second wheel 262 engagedwith the particle belt 84, and a drive mechanism 264 of a particledelivery system that may be employed within the row unit of FIG. 2. Thefirst wheel 260 includes a first end 266 engaged with the particle belt84 at a first location 268 and a second end 270 disposed generallyopposite the first end 266 and engaged with the drive mechanism 264 at athird location 272. Additionally, the second wheel 262 includes a firstend 274 (e.g., a third end) engaged with the particle belt 84 at asecond location 276 and a second end 278 (e.g., a fourth end) disposedgenerally opposite the first end 274 and engaged with the drivemechanism 264 at a fourth location 280.

The second motor 176 is configured to drive rotation of the first wheel260. Rotation of the first wheel 260 is configured to drive rotation ofthe drive mechanism 264, which is configured to drive rotation of thesecond wheel 262. As illustrated, the drive mechanism 264 includes adrive shaft having a first end 284 and a second end 286 that are beveled(e.g., the drive mechanism 264 may be a beveled gear). The second end270 of the first wheel 260 is beveled and is engaged with the first end284 of the drive mechanism 264 (e.g., grooves 287 of the second end 270of the first wheel 260 are engaged with grooves 288 of the first end 284of the drive mechanism 264).

Additionally, the second end 278 of the second wheel 262 is beveled andis engaged with the second end 286 of the drive mechanism 264 (e.g.,grooves 289 of the second end 278 of the second wheel 262 are engagedwith grooves 290 of the second end 286 of the drive mechanism 264).

The second end 270 of the first wheel 260 has a diameter 291 that isgenerally equal to a diameter 292 of the first end 266 of the firstwheel 260 and generally equal to a diameter 294 of the first end 274 ofthe second wheel 262. The second end 278 of the second wheel 262 has adiameter 296 that is smaller than the diameter 291 of the second end 270of the first wheel 260, such that rotation of the drive mechanism 264 bythe second end 270 of the first wheel 260 at a first rotational speeddrives rotation of the second end 278 of the second wheel 262 at asecond rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed. Thefaster second rotational speed of the second wheel 262 (e.g., at thefirst end 274 and at the second end 278 of the second wheel 262)relative to the first rotational speed of the first wheel 260 (e.g., atthe first end 266 and at the second end 270 of the first wheel 260)causes the second wheel 262 to stretch the particle belt 84 at theparticle acceleration section 132, thereby accelerating the particles.

As illustrated, the diameter 291 of the second end 270 of the firstwheel 260 is about twice as large as the diameter 296 of the second end278 of the second wheel 262, such that rotation of the drive mechanism264 drives rotation of the second wheel 262 at the second rotationalspeed that is about twice as fast as the first rotational speed of thefirst wheel 260. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the second endof the first wheel may be larger or smaller relative to the diameter ofthe second end of the second wheel (e.g., compared to the illustratedembodiment), such that a proportional relationship of the secondrotational speed of the second wheel relative to the first rotationalspeed of the first wheel is different (e.g., the second wheel may rotatethree times as fast as the first wheel, the second wheel may rotate fourtimes as fast as the first wheel, the second wheel may rotate eighttimes as a fast as the first wheel, etc.).

In certain embodiments, the particle delivery system may include a thirdmotor coupled to and configured to drive rotation of the second wheelindependent of the first wheel. For example, the controller may becommunicatively coupled to the third motor, such that the controller maycontrol rotation of the second wheel independent of the first wheel. Insuch embodiments, the drive mechanism coupling the first wheel and thesecond wheel may be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a particle deliverysystem 300 that may be employed within the row unit of FIG. 2. Asillustrated, the particle delivery system 300 includes the particlemetering and singulation unit 44, which includes the particle disc 82,configured to meter and establish the spacing between the particles 80.The particle delivery system 300 also includes a particle belt 302(e.g., an endless member) configured to receive the particles 80 fromthe particle disc 82 and to expel the particles 80 into the trench 31.Additionally, the particle delivery system 300 includes the air flowsystem 100 configured to provide the vacuum along the vacuum passage 110adjacent to the particle disc 82 and/or to remove the particles 80 fromthe particle disc 82 and accelerate the particles 80 along the releasetrajectory 114 via the air flow 112.

The particle delivery system 300 includes a particle belt housing 304.The particle belt 302 is disposed within and configured to rotate withinthe particle belt housing 304. Additionally, the particle deliverysystem 40 includes the particle tube 124 coupled to the disc housing 120and the particle belt housing 304. The particle tube 124 extendsgenerally from the release point 96 to a particle engagement point 310of the particle belt 302 and is configured to at least partially directthe particles 80 from the particle disc 82 (e.g., from the release point96 of the particle disc 82) to the particle belt 302 (e.g., to theparticle engagement point 310 of the particle belt 302) along therelease trajectory 114. In certain embodiments, the particle tube may beomitted, such that the particles flow from the release point to theengagement point without guidance from the particle tube.

The particle belt 302 includes a particle acceleration section 312, aparticle transfer section 313, a particle exit section 314, and a beltretraction section 316. The particle belt 302 is configured to receivethe particles 80 from the particle metering and singulation unit 44 atthe particle engagement point 310, to accelerate the particles 80 atand/or along the particle acceleration section 312, to transfer theparticles 80 from the particle acceleration section 312 to the particleexit section 314 at and/or along the particle transfer section 313, andto expel the particles 80 toward the trench 31 at and/or along a releasetrajectory 318 at the particle exit section 314. For example, theparticle belt 84 is configured to rotate, as indicated by arrows 320, tomove the particles 80 from the particle engagement point 310 to theparticle exit section 314. As described in greater detail below, theparticle belt 84 is configured to stretch at the particle accelerationsection 312 and to retract at the belt retraction section 316. Theparticle belt 84 includes a base 322 and flights 324 coupled to andextending from the base 322. Each pair of opposing flights 324 isconfigured to receive a respective particle 80 at the particleengagement point 310 and to move the respective particle 80 to theparticle exit section 314.

The particle belt 302 is configured to accelerate the particles 80received from the particle disc 82, such that a particle exit speed ofeach particle 80 expelled from the particle belt 84 along the releasetrajectory 318 reaches a target particle exit speed (e.g., at theparticle exit section 314). The particle exit speed of each particle 80may reach the target particle exit speed when the particle exit speed isequal to the target particle exit speed, when the particle exit speedbecomes greater than or less than the target particle exit speed, whenthe particle exit speed is within a threshold range of the targetparticle exit speed (e.g., a difference between the particle exit speedand the target particle exit speed is less than a threshold valueassociated with the threshold range), or a combination thereof.

The particle delivery system 300 is configured to accelerate theparticles 80 at the particle acceleration section 312 of the particlebelt 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the particle delivery system 40includes a first hub assembly 340 engaged with the particle belt 302 ata first location 342 (e.g., an interface or a series of interfacesbetween the first hub assembly 340 and the particle belt 302) and asecond hub assembly 344 engaged with the particle belt 302 at a secondlocation 346 (e.g., an interface or a series of interfaces between thesecond hub assembly 344 and the particle belt 302). The first hubassembly 340 is configured to stretch (e.g., gradually stretch) theparticle belt 302 at/along the first location 342, to remain stretchat/along the particle transfer section 313, and the second hub assembly344 is configured to retract (e.g., gradually retract/relax) theparticle belt 302 at/along the second location 346, such that theparticle belt 302 stretches along the particle acceleration section 312(e.g., at and/or along the first location 342), thereby facilitatingacceleration of the particles 80 at the particle acceleration section312. To enable stretching the particle belt 302 at the particleacceleration section 312 and at the particle transfer section 313, asubstantially no-slip condition exists between the first hub assembly340 and the particle belt 302 at the first location 342 and between thesecond hub assembly 344 and the particle belt 302 at the second location346. After stretching at the particle acceleration section 312, theparticle belt 302 is configured to retract (e.g., at least partiallyrelax) at the belt retraction section 316 (e.g., at and/or along thesecond location 346). The particle belt 302 (e.g., the base 322 and/orthe flights 324 of the particle belt 302) may be formed from an elasticmaterial (e.g., fabric, rubber, plastic, or a combination thereof)configured to stretch and/or retract. As illustrated, the particletransfer section 313 extends generally between the first location 342and the second location 346 and between the particle accelerationsection 312 and the particle exit section 314. In certain embodiments,the particle transfer section may include at least a portion of theparticle acceleration section and/or at least a portion of the particleexit section.

The first hub assembly 340 includes an outer hub 350 (e.g., a firstouter hub) and an inner hub 352 (e.g., a first inner hub) disposedeccentrically within the outer hub 350 (e.g., off center relative to theouter hub 350). The outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352 are configuredto rotate, as indicated by arrow 353. In certain embodiments, the outerhub 350 and the inner hub 352 may rotate at the same rotation rate(e.g., rotations per minute (rpm)). For example, the outer hub 350 andthe inner hub 352 may be non-rotatably coupled, such that rotation ofthe outer hub 350 drives rotation of the inner hub 352. In certainembodiments, rotation of the inner hub may drive rotation of the outerhub. In some embodiments, motor(s) may drive the inner hub and the outerhub to rotate independently at the same rotation rate.

The first hub assembly 340 includes cogs 354 (e.g., first cogs) coupledto the inner hub 352 and configured to pivot relative to the inner hub352 as the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352 rotate. Additionally, thefirst hub assembly 340 includes guides 356 (e.g., first guides) coupledto and configured to pivot relative to the outer hub 350. For example,each guide 356 is configured to slide along a respective cog 354 (e.g.,each cog 354 extends through a respective guide 356) and to pivotrelative to the outer hub 350 as the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352rotate. Each cog 354 is configured to engage the particle belt 302 atthe first location 342, such that rotation of the outer hub 350 and theinner hub 352 and the pivoting of each cog 354 stretch (e.g., graduallystretch) the particle belt 302 at the first location 342. As describedin greater detail below in reference to FIG. 8, the inner hub 352disposed eccentrically within the outer hub 350 causes the cogs 354 tostretch the particle belt 302 as the particle belt 302 moves along thefirst location 342 and as the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352rotate, as indicated by arrow 353.

The second hub assembly 344 includes an outer hub 360 (e.g., a secondouter hub) and an inner hub 362 (e.g., a second inner hub) disposedeccentrically within the outer hub 360 (e.g., off center relative to theouter hub 360). The outer hub 360 and the inner hub 362 are configuredto rotate, as indicated by arrow 363. In certain embodiments, the outerhub 360 and the inner hub 362 may rotate at the same rotation rate(e.g., rotations per minute (rpm)). For example, the outer hub 360 andthe inner hub 362 may be non-rotatably coupled, such that rotation ofthe outer hub 360 drives rotation of the inner hub 362. In someembodiments, the outer hub 350 of the first hub assembly 340 may becoupled to the outer hub 360 of the second hub assembly 344 via a drivemechanism, such as the drive mechanism of FIG. 4 or the drive mechanismof FIG. 5, thereby causing rotation of the first hub assembly 340 (e.g.,rotation of the outer hub 350) to drive rotation of the second hubassembly 344 (e.g., rotation of the outer hub 360). In certainembodiments, rotation of the inner hub may drive rotation of the outerhub. In some embodiments, the inner hub of the first hub assembly may becoupled to the inner hub of the second hub assembly via the drivemechanism, thereby causing rotation of the first hub assembly (e.g.,rotation of the inner hub of the first hub assembly) to drive rotationof the second hub assembly (e.g., rotation of the inner hub of thesecond hub assembly). In certain embodiments, the outer hub and/or theinner hub of the second hub assembly may be driven to rotate bymotor(s), which may facilitate independent control of rotation speeds ofthe first hub assembly and the second hub assembly.

The second hub assembly 344 includes cogs 364 (e.g., second cogs)coupled to the inner hub 362 and configured to pivot relative to theinner hub 362 as the outer hub 360 and the inner hub 362 rotate.Additionally, the second hub assembly 344 includes guides 366 (e.g.,second guides) coupled to and configured to pivot relative to the outerhub 360. For example, each guide 366 is configured to slide along arespective cog 364 (e.g., each cog 364 extends through a respectiveguide 366) and to pivot relative to the outer hub 360 as the outer hub360 and the inner hub 362 rotate. Each cog 364 is configured to engagethe particle belt 302 at the second location 346, such that rotation ofthe outer hub 360 and the inner hub 362 and the pivoting of each cog 364retract (e.g., gradually retract and/or gradually relax) the particlebelt 302 at the second location 346. The inner hub 362 disposedeccentrically within the outer hub 360 causes the cogs 364 to retractthe particle belt 302 as the particle belt 302 moves along the secondlocation 346 and as the outer hub 360 and the inner hub 362 rotate, asindicated by arrow 363. In certain embodiments, the second hub assemblymay be replaced by a wheel configured to engage the particle belt at thesecond location via a no-slip condition, such as the second wheeldescribed above in reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively, the first hubassembly may be replaced by a wheel configured to engage the particlebelt at the first location via a no-slip condition, such as the firstwheel described above in reference to FIG. 3.

As illustrated, the particle engagement point 310 of the particle belt302 is positioned generally at the first location 342 and at theparticle acceleration section 312. In certain embodiments, the particleengagement point may be positioned between the first location and thesecond location, such that the particle belt is configured to receivethe particles at a stretched portion of the particle belt (e.g., at theparticle transfer section) or adjacent to the particle retractionsection. Additionally, as illustrated, the particle exit section 314 ofthe particle belt 302 is positioned generally at the second location346. In certain embodiments, the particle exit section may be positionedbetween the first location and the second location.

The first hub assembly 340 and the second hub assembly 344 areconfigured to rotate to drive rotation of the particle belt 302. Forexample, the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352 of the first hubassembly 340 may drive rotation of the cogs 354, and the cogs 354 mayengage the particle belt 302 at the first location 342, thereby drivingrotation of the particle belt 302. The outer hub 360 and the inner hub362 of the second hub assembly 344 may drive rotation of the cogs 364,and the cogs 364 may engage the particle belt 302 at the second location346, thereby driving rotation of the particle belt 302. At least one ofthe outer hub 350 of the first hub assembly 340, the inner hub 352 ofthe first hub assembly 340, the outer hub 360 of the second hub assembly344, and the inner hub 362 of the second hub assembly 344 may include apulley or a gear. In certain embodiments, only one of the first hubassembly and the second hub assembly may drive rotation of the particlebelt.

The controller 170 is configured to control the belt speed of theparticle belt 302 to adjust/control the particle exit speed of theparticles 80 expelled from the particle belt 302 (e.g., from theparticle exit section 314 of the particle belt 302, along the releasetrajectory 318, and toward the trench 31), such that the particle exitspeed reaches a target particle exit speed. For example, the controller170 may control the outer hub 350 of the first hub assembly 340, via thesecond motor 176 configured to drive rotation of the outer hub 350 andthe particle belt 302, to adjust/control the belt speed of the particlebelt 302 (e.g., by outputting an output signal to the second motor 176indicative of instructions to adjust the rotation rate of the outer hub350 of the first hub assembly 340), thereby adjusting/controlling theparticle exit speed of the particles 80. In certain embodiments, thesecond motor may be configured to drive rotation of the inner hub of thefirst hub assembly, and the controller may output an output signal tothe second motor indicative of instructions to adjust the rotation rateof the inner hub of the first hub assembly. In some embodiments, thesecond motor may be configured to drive rotation of the outer hub and/orthe inner hub of the second hub assembly, and the controller may outputan output signal to the second motor indicative of instructions toadjust the rotation rate of the outer hub and/or the inner hub of thesecond hub assembly. In certain embodiments, the particle deliverysystem may include a third motor configured to drive rotation of thesecond hub assembly independent of the first hub assembly.

The controller 170 may control the particle exit speed of the particles80, such that the particle exit speed reaches the target particle exitspeed. The controller 170 may determine the target particle exit speedof the particles 80 based on the type of the particles 80, the size ofthe particles 80, an input received from a user interface, the groundspeed of the row unit, or a combination thereof. The target particleexit speed may be any suitable speed, such one kilometer per hour (kph),two kph, three kph, five kph, ten kph, fifteen kph, twenty kph, etc. Incertain embodiments, the controller 170 may determine the targetparticle exit speed as a target percentage of the ground speed of therow unit (e.g., thirty percent, fifty percent, sixty percent, seventypercent, eighty percent, ninety percent, ninety-five percent, onehundred percent, etc.).

To control the belt speed of the particle belt 302, the controller 170may receive an input signal indicative of the particle exit speed of theparticle 80 at the particle exit section 314 of the particle belt 302.For example, the controller 170 may receive the input signal from theparticle sensor 178 of the particle delivery system 300 disposedadjacent to the particle exit section 314 and along the releasetrajectory 318. The particle sensor 178 may include an infrared sensoror another suitable type of sensor configured to output the input signalindicative of the particle exit speed of each particle 80 at theparticle exit section 314. The particle sensor 178 may be positioned afixed distance from the particle exit section 314 of the particle belt302, such that the controller 170 may determine the particle exit speedof the particle 80 at the particle exit section 314 based on the fixeddistance and the input signal indicative of the particle exit speedreceived from the particle sensor 178 (e.g., based on accelerationand/or deceleration of the particle 80 traveling the fixed distance). Insome embodiments, the particle sensor 174 and/or the particle sensor 178may be omitted from the particle delivery system 300.

The controller 170 may compare the particle exit speed of the particle80 at the particle exit section 314 of the particle belt 302 to thetarget particle exit speed to determine whether a difference between theparticle exit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds athreshold value. In response to determining that the particle exit speedat the particle exit section 314 of the particle belt 302 is less thanthe target particle exit speed and the difference between the particleexit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds the thresholdvalue, the controller 170 may output an output signal indicative ofinstructions to increase the belt speed of the particle belt 302. Forexample, the controller 170 may output the output signal to the secondmotor 176 to cause the second motor 176 to increase the rotation rate ofthe outer hub 350 of the first hub assembly 340, thereby increasing thebelt speed of the particle belt 302. The increase in the belt speed ofthe particle belt 302 may increase the particle exit speed, such thatthe particle exit speed reaches the target particle exit speed (e.g.,such that the difference between the particle exit speed and the targetparticle exit speed is less than the threshold value).

In response to determining that the particle exit speed at the particleexit section 314 of the particle belt 302 is greater than the targetparticle exit speed and the difference between the particle exit speedand the target particle exit speed exceeds the threshold value, thecontroller 170 may output an output signal indicative of instructions todecrease the belt speed of the particle belt 302. For example, thecontroller 170 may output the output signal to the second motor 176 tocause the second motor 176 to decrease the rotation rate of the outerhub 350 of the first hub assembly 340, thereby decreasing the belt speedof the particle belt 302. The decrease in the belt speed of the particlebelt 302 may decrease the particle exit speed, such that the particleexit speed reaches the target particle exit speed (e.g., such that thedifference between the particle exit speed and the target particle exitspeed is less than the threshold value).

FIG. 8 is a side view of the particle belt 302 and the first hubassembly 340 of the particle delivery system of FIG. 7. As describedabove, the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352 are configured to rotate,as indicated by arrow 353, to drive rotation of the particle belt 302.For example, the second motor 176 is configured to drive rotation of theouter hub 350, thereby driving rotation of the first hub assembly 340and the particle belt 302. Additionally, a substantially no-slipcondition exists between the particle belt 302 and the first hubassembly 340 at the first location 342 and between the particle belt 302and the second hub assembly at the second location. The substantiallyno-slip conditions enable the first hub assembly 340 and the second hubassembly to stretch the particle belt 302 at/along the particleacceleration section 312, thereby accelerating the particles 80 at/alongthe particle acceleration section 312.

The particle belt 84 has recesses 380 formed along the base 322 andconfigured to receive the cogs 354 of the first hub assembly 340. Theinterface between the cogs 354 and the recesses 380 (e.g., the cogs 354extending into the recesses 380) provides the no-slip condition at thefirst location 342. For example, as the first hub assembly 340 rotates,as indicated by arrow 353, the cogs 354 may rotate/move at the samespeed as the particle belt 302. As illustrated, each cog 354 includes amember 382 and arms 384 (e.g., two arms 384) extending from the member382. The member 382 is coupled to the inner hub 352 and is configured toextend into a respective recess 380 of the base 322 of the particle belt302, and each arm 384 is configured to abut a rear surface 386 of thebase 322 of the particle belt 302.

As the outer hub 350 and the inner hub 352 rotate, as indicated by arrow353, the first hub assembly 340 gradually stretches the particle belt302. For example, the cogs 354 first engage the particle belt 302 at afirst area 390 of the first location 342. As the outer hub 350 and theinner hub 352 rotate, the cogs 354 rotate from the first area 390 of thefirst location 342 to a second area 392 of the first location 342.Because the inner hub 352 is disposed eccentrically within the outer hub350, a spacing between adjacent cogs 354 (e.g., between the arms 384 ofadjacent cogs 354) increases, and the cogs 354 accelerate as the cogs354 rotate from the first area 390 toward the second area 392. Theincreased spacing between the cogs 354 causes the particle belt 302 togradually stretch as the particle belt 302 rotates, thereby acceleratingthe particles 80. As illustrated, the particle engagement point 310 isdisposed generally between the first area 390 and the second area 392.In certain embodiments, the particle engagement point 310 may bedisposed at the first area 390, at the second area 392, or at a thirdarea 394 of the particle belt 302 prior to the first area 390 (e.g., aretracted portion of the particle belt 302).

As described above, the second hub assembly of the particle deliverysystem is configured to gradually retract the particle belt as theparticle belt moves along the second hub assembly. For example, the cogsof the second hub assembly may first engage the recesses of the particlebelt at a first area of the second location and may rotate toward asecond area of the second location (e.g., via rotation of the outer huband the inner hub of the second hub assembly). As the outer hub and theinner hub of the second hub assembly rotate, a spacing between theadjacent cogs may gradually decrease due to the inner hub being disposedeccentrically within the outer hub, thereby gradually retracting theparticle belt as the particle belt moves along the second hub assembly(e.g., from the first area of the second location toward the second areaof the second location).

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process 400 forcontrolling a particle delivery system. The process 400, or portionsthereof, may be performed by the controller of the particle deliverysystem. The process 400 begins at block 402, in which an input signalindicative of operating parameter(s) is received. For example, theoperating parameters may include the type of the particles, the groundspeed of the row unit, a spacing between the flights the particle belt,the size of the particles, or a combination thereof. The input signalmay be received from the user interface communicatively coupled to thecontroller, may be stored in the memory of the controller, may bereceived via sensor(s) of the row unit and/or the agriculturalimplement, may be received from a transceiver, or a combination thereof.

At block 404, the target particle transfer speed is determined. Forexample, the controller may determine the target particle transfer speedof the particles based on the type of the particles, the belt speed ofthe particle belt (e.g., the particle belt having the particleengagement section/point configured to receive the particles travelingat the particle transfer speed), the spacing between flights of theparticle belt, the size of the particles, and/or other operatingparameters. At block 406, an input signal indicative of the particletransfer speed of the particle at the particle engagement section/pointof the particle belt is received. For example, the controller mayreceive the input signal indicative of the particle transfer speed fromthe particle sensor disposed proximate to the particle engagementsection/point. In certain embodiments, the controller may receivemultiple input signals from the particle sensor, in which each inputsignal is indicative of a particle transfer speed of a respectiveparticle. The controller may determine an average of the multipleparticle transfer speeds to determine the average particle transferspeed of the particles at the particle engagement section/point. Assuch, the controller may account for variance among the particletransfer speeds of multiple particles at the particle engagementsection/point to reduce excessive control actions (e.g., adjustments tothe flow rate of the air flow provided by the air flow system).

At block 408, a determination of whether a difference between theparticle transfer speed and the target particle transfer speed exceeds athreshold value is made (e.g., by the controller). Additionally, adetermination of whether the particle transfer speed is less than orgreater than the target particle transfer speed is made (e.g., by thecontroller). The threshold value may be determined based on the type ofthe particles and/or the belt speed of the particle belt. In response tothe difference exceeding the threshold, the process 400 proceeds toblock 410. In response to the difference not exceeding the threshold,the process 400 returns to block 406 and receives the next input signalindicative of the particle transfer speed.

At block 410, in response to the difference between the particletransfer speed and the target particle transfer speed exceeding thethreshold value, an output signal indicative of instructions to adjustthe flow rate of the air flow provided by the air flow system is outputby the controller. For example, the controller may output the outputsignal indicative of instructions to increase the flow rate of the airflow provided by the air flow system in response to a determination thatthe particle transfer speed is less than the target particle transferspeed and the difference between the particle transfer speed and thetarget particle transfer speed exceeds the threshold value, or thecontroller may output the output signal indicative of instructions todecrease the flow rate of the air flow provided by the air flow systemin response to a determination that the particle transfer speed isgreater than the target particle transfer speed and the differencebetween the particle transfer speed and the target particle transferspeed exceeds the threshold value.

After completing block 410, the process 400 returns to block 406 andreceives the next input signal indicative of the particle transfer speedof the particle at the particle engagement section/point of the particlebelt. The next determination is made of whether the difference betweenthe particle transfer speed and the target particle transfer speedexceeds the threshold value (e.g., block 408), and the flow rate of theair flow may be adjusted in response to the determination. As such,blocks 406-410 of the process 400 may be iteratively performed (e.g., bythe controller of the particle delivery system and/or by anothersuitable controller) to facilitate acceleration of the particles to thetarget particle transfer speed and transfer of the particles from theparticle disc to the particle belt. In some embodiments, certain blocksof the blocks 402-410 may be omitted from the process 400, and/or theorder of the blocks 402-410 may be different.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process 420 forcontrolling a particle delivery system. The process 420, or portionsthereof, may be performed by the controller of the particle deliverysystem. The process 420 begins at block 422, in which an input signalindicative of operating parameter(s) is received. For example, theoperating parameters may include the type of the particles, the groundspeed of the row unit, a spacing between flights of one or more particlebelts, a size of the particles, or a combination thereof. The inputsignal may be received from the user interface communicatively coupledto the controller, may be stored in the memory of the controller, may bereceived via sensor(s) of the row unit and/or the agriculturalimplement, may be received from a transceiver, or a combination thereof.

At block 424, the target particle exit speed is determined. For example,the controller may determine the target particle exit speed of theparticles based on the type of the particles, the ground speed of therow unit, the size of the particles, and/or other operating parameters.At block 426, an input signal indicative of the particle exit speed ofthe particle at the particle exit section of the particle belt isreceived. For example, the controller may receive the input signalindicative of the particle exit speed from the particle sensor disposedproximate to the particle exit section of the particle belt. In certainembodiments, the controller may receive multiple input signals from theparticle sensor, in which each input signal is indicative of a particleexit speed of a respective particle. The controller may determine anaverage of the multiple particle exit speeds to determine the averageparticle exit speed of the particles at the particle exit section. Assuch, the controller may account for variance among the particle exitspeeds of multiple particles at the particle exit section to reduceexcessive control actions (e.g., adjustments to the belt speed of theparticle belt).

At block 428, a determination of whether a difference between theparticle exit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds athreshold value is made (e.g., by the controller). Additionally, adetermination of whether the particle exit speed is less than or greaterthan the target particle exit speed is made (e.g., by the controller).The threshold value may be determined based on the type of theparticles, the ground speed of the row unit, and/or other factors. Inresponse to the difference exceeding the threshold, the process 420proceeds to block 430. In response to the difference not exceeding thethreshold, the process 420 returns to block 426 and receives the nextinput signal indicative of the particle exit speed.

At block 430, in response to the difference between the particle exitspeed and the target particle exit speed exceeding the threshold value,an output signal indicative of instructions to adjust the belt speed ofthe particle belt is output to the motor configured to drive rotation ofthe particle belt (e.g., the motor configured to drive rotation of thewheel coupled to and configured to drive rotation of the particle beltand/or the hub assembly coupled to and configured to drive rotation ofthe particle belt). For example, the controller may output the outputsignal indicative of instructions to increase the belt speed of theparticle belt in response to a determination that the particle exitspeed is less than the target particle exit speed and the differencebetween the particle exit speed and the target particle exit speedexceeds the threshold value. Further, the controller may output theoutput signal indicative of instructions to decrease the belt speed ofthe particle belt in response to a determination that the particle exitspeed is greater than the target particle exit speed and the differencebetween the particle exit speed and the target particle exit speedexceeds the threshold value.

After completing block 430, the process 420 returns to block 426 andreceives the next input signal indicative of the particle exit speed ofthe particle at the particle exit section of the particle belt. The nextdetermination is made of whether the difference between the particleexit speed and the target particle exit speed exceeds the thresholdvalue (e.g., block 428), and the belt speed of the particle belt may beadjusted in response to the determination. As such, blocks 426-430 ofthe process 420 may be iteratively performed (e.g., by the controller ofthe particle delivery system and/or by another suitable controller) tofacilitate acceleration of the particles to the target particle exitspeed. In some embodiments, certain blocks of the blocks 422-430 may beomitted from the process 420, and/or the order of the blocks 422-430 maybe different.

Embodiments of a particle delivery system described herein mayfacilitate deposition of particles into a trench in soil. The particledelivery system may be configured to accelerate the particles downwardlytoward the trench and to provide particular spacings between theparticles along the trench. For example, the particle delivery systemmay include a particle disc configured to meter individual particles,thereby establishing a particular spacing between particles. Theparticle disc may be configured to release the particles from a releasepoint of the particle disc. A particle belt of the particle deliverysystem may be configured to receive the particles from the particle discand to expel the particles toward the trench in the soil. In certainembodiments, a particle acceleration section of the particle belt may bestretched, such that a particle exit speed of the particles exiting aparticle exit section of the particle belt reaches a target particleexit speed (e.g., after the particles pass through the particleacceleration section and are expelled from the particle belt at theparticle exit section). The particle belt may accelerate the particlesto a speed greater than a speed resulting from gravitationalacceleration alone. As such, the particle delivery system may enable therow unit to travel faster than traditional row units that utilize seedtubes, which rely on gravity to accelerate the particles (e.g., seeds)for delivery to soil. Additionally, the particle belt may accelerate theparticles such that the particle delivery system reduces the relativeground speed of the particles, thereby enabling the particle deliverysystem to accurately deposit the particles within the trench in soil.

In certain embodiments, the particle delivery system may includewheel(s) engaged with the particle belt and configured to rotate atdifferent rotational speeds to stretch the particle belt at the particleacceleration section and to accelerate the particles. For example, thewheels may be engaged with the particle belt, and a substantiallyno-slip condition may exist between each wheel and the particle belt. Insome embodiments, the particle delivery system may include hubassembly(ies) engaged with the particle belt and configured to stretchthe particle belt at the particle acceleration section to accelerate theparticles. For example, the hub assemblies may be engaged with theparticle belt, and a substantially no-slip condition may exist betweeneach hub assembly and the particle belt. Each hub assembly may includean outer hub configured to rotate, an inner hub disposed eccentricallywithin the outer hub and configured to rotate with the outer hub, cogscoupled to the inner hub and configured to pivot relative to the innerhub as the inner hub and the outer hub rotate, and guides coupled torespective cogs and to the outer hub. Each guide may be configured toslide along the respective cog and along the outer hub as the inner huband the outer hub rotate, and each cog may be configured to engage theparticle belt, such that the rotation of the inner hub and the outer huband the pivoting of each cog stretches the particle belt.

Additionally, features of certain embodiments of the particle deliverysystems described herein may be combined with features of otherembodiments. For example, the first wheel and/or the second wheel ofFIGS. 3-5 may be included in the particle delivery system of FIG. 6. Incertain embodiments, the first wheel and/or the second wheel of FIG. 6may be included in the particle delivery system of FIG. 3. In someembodiments, the first wheel and/or the second wheel of FIGS. 3-6 may beincluded in the particle delivery system of FIGS. 7 and 8. In certainembodiments, the belt tension assembly of FIG. 3 may be included in theparticle delivery system of FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the drivemechanism(s) of FIGS. 5 and/or 6 may be included in the particledelivery system of FIG. 7. In certain embodiments, the first hubassembly and/or the second hub assembly of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be includedin the particle delivery system of FIG. 3. Additionally oralternatively, the embodiments of the particle delivery systemsdescribed herein, or portions thereof, may be combined in other suitablemanners.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the disclosure.

1. A particle delivery system of an agricultural row unit, comprising: aparticle belt having a particle acceleration section, wherein theparticle belt is configured to receive a particle from a particlemetering and singulation unit, to accelerate the particle at theparticle acceleration section, and to expel the particle toward a trenchin soil; a first hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at a firstlocation; and a second hub assembly engaged with the particle belt at asecond location, wherein the particle acceleration section is disposedgenerally at the first location, a substantially no-slip conditionexists between the first hub assembly and the particle belt at the firstlocation and between the second hub assembly and the particle belt atthe second location, and the first hub assembly and the second hubassembly are configured to stretch the particle belt at the particleacceleration section to accelerate the particle at the particleacceleration section.
 2. The particle delivery system of claim 1,wherein the first hub assembly is configured to gradually stretch theparticle belt at the first location, and the second hub assembly isconfigured to gradually retract the particle belt at the secondlocation, such that the first hub assembly and the second hub assemblystretch the particle belt along the particle acceleration section. 3.The particle delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first hub assemblycomprises an outer hub configured to rotate, an inner hub disposedeccentrically within the outer hub and configured to rotate with theouter hub, a plurality of cogs coupled to the inner hub and configuredto pivot relative to the inner hub, and a plurality of guides coupled tothe outer hub and configured to pivot relative to the outer hub; whereineach guide of the plurality of guides is configured to slide along arespective cog of the plurality of cogs, and the plurality of cogs areconfigured to engage the particle belt at the first location, such thatthe rotation of the inner hub, the rotation of the outer hub, and thepivoting of the plurality of cogs stretch the particle belt at the firstlocation.
 4. The particle delivery system of claim 3, wherein the innerhub is non-rotatably coupled to the outer hub.
 5. The particle deliverysystem of claim 3, wherein at least one of the inner hub and the outerhub comprises a pulley or a gear.
 6. The particle delivery system ofclaim 3, wherein the particle belt comprises a base and a plurality offlights extending from the base, and each pair of opposing flights ofthe plurality of flights is configured to receive the particle from theparticle metering and singulation unit.
 7. The particle delivery systemof claim 6, wherein the base has a plurality of recesses, and eachrecess of the plurality of recesses is configured to receive arespective cog of the plurality of cogs to establish the substantiallyno-slip condition between the first hub assembly and the particle beltat the first location.
 8. The particle delivery system of claim 6,wherein the base of the particle belt is formed from an elastic materialconfigured to stretch, retract, or both.
 9. The particle delivery systemof claim 1, wherein the first hub assembly and the second hub assemblyare configured to drive rotation of the particle belt.
 10. The particledelivery system of claim 1, wherein the particle belt has a beltretraction section disposed generally at the second location andgenerally opposite the particle acceleration section, and the particlebelt is configured to retract at the belt retraction section.
 11. Aparticle delivery system of an agricultural row unit, comprising: aparticle metering and singulation unit configured to meter a pluralityof particles from a particle storage area; a particle belt having aparticle acceleration section, wherein the particle belt is configuredto receive the plurality of particles from the particle metering andsingulation unit, to accelerate the plurality of particles at theparticle acceleration section, and to expel the plurality of particlestoward a trench in soil; a first hub assembly engaged with the particlebelt at a first location; and a second hub assembly engaged with theparticle belt at a second location, wherein the particle accelerationsection is disposed generally at the first location, a substantiallyno-slip condition exists between the first hub assembly and the particlebelt at the first location and between the second hub assembly and theparticle belt at the second location, and the first hub assembly and thesecond hub assembly are configured to stretch the particle belt at theparticle acceleration section to accelerate the particle at the particleacceleration section.
 12. The particle delivery system of claim 11,wherein the first hub assembly comprises an outer hub configured torotate, an inner hub disposed eccentrically within the outer hub andconfigured to rotate with the outer hub, a plurality of cogs coupled tothe inner hub and configured to pivot relative to the inner hub, and aplurality of guides coupled to the outer hub and configured to pivotrelative to the outer hub; wherein each guide of the plurality of guidesis configured to slide along a respective cog of the plurality of cogs,and the plurality of cogs are configured to engage the particle belt atthe first location, such that the rotation of the inner hub, therotation of the outer hub, and the pivoting of the plurality of cogsstretch the particle belt at the first location.
 13. The particledelivery system of claim 12, wherein the particle belt comprises a baseand a plurality of flights extending from the base, and each pair ofopposing flights of the plurality of flights is configured to receivethe particle from the particle metering and singulation unit.
 14. Theparticle delivery system of claim 13, wherein the base has a pluralityof recesses, and each recess of the plurality of recesses is configuredto receive a respective cog of the plurality of cogs to establish thesubstantially no-slip condition between the first hub assembly and theparticle belt at the first location.
 15. The particle delivery system ofclaim 11, wherein the particle metering and singulation unit comprises adisc configured to extract each particle of the plurality of particlesfrom the particle storage area, rotate the particle, and deposit theparticle at a position generally above the particle belt.
 16. A particledelivery system of an agricultural row unit, comprising: a particle belthaving a particle acceleration section and a particle exit section,wherein the particle belt is configured to receive a particle from aparticle metering and singulation unit, to accelerate the particle atthe particle acceleration section, and to expel the particle toward atrench in soil at the particle exit section; a first hub assemblyengaged with the particle belt at a first location; a second hubassembly engaged with the particle belt at a second location, whereinthe particle acceleration section is disposed generally at the firstlocation, a substantially no-slip condition exists between the first hubassembly and the particle belt at the first location and between thesecond hub assembly and the particle belt at the second location, andthe first hub assembly and the second hub assembly are configured tostretch the particle belt at the particle acceleration section toaccelerate the particle at the particle acceleration section; and acontroller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the controlleris configured to: receive an input signal indicative of a particle exitspeed of the particle at the particle exit section of the particle belt;and output an output signal indicative of instructions to adjust a beltspeed of the particle belt, such that a difference between the particleexit speed and a target particle exit speed is less than a thresholdvalue.
 17. The particle delivery system of claim 16, wherein thecontroller is configured to output the output signal indicative ofinstructions to increase the belt speed of the particle belt in responseto determining that the particle exit speed is less than the targetparticle exit speed and the difference between the particle exit speedand the target particle exit speed exceeds the threshold value.
 18. Theparticle delivery system of claim 16, wherein the controller isconfigured to output the output signal indicative of instructions todecrease the belt speed of the particle belt in response to determiningthat the particle exit speed is greater than the target particle exitspeed and the difference between the particle exit speed and the targetparticle exit speed exceeds the threshold value.
 19. The particledelivery system of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured todetermine the target particle exit speed based on a type of theparticle, a size of the particle, a ground speed of the agricultural rowunit, or a combination thereof.
 20. The particle delivery system ofclaim 16, wherein the first hub assembly comprises an outer hubconfigured to rotate, an inner hub disposed eccentrically within theouter hub and non-rotatably coupled to the outer hub, a plurality ofcogs coupled to the inner hub and configured to pivot relative to theinner hub, and a plurality of guides coupled to the outer hub andconfigured to pivot relative to the outer hub; wherein each guide of theplurality of guides is configured to slide along a respective cog of theplurality of cogs, and the plurality of cogs are configured to engagethe particle belt at the first location, such that the rotation of theinner hub and the pivoting of the plurality of cogs stretch the particlebelt at the first location.